HOW I GOT OVER SOCIAL ANXIETY

Anxiety has played a major role throughout my whole life. It actually wasn’t until I got older when I realized how anxious I was growing up. (I wish I could just give baby Gracie a hug and tell her she was safe🥺).

I know a lot of people look at content creators like myself and wonder how in the heck it’s possible for us to have anxiety…

Anxiety affects everyone so differently, but I’ll explain a bit of my case to you so hopefully it makes sense. My anxious mind stems from abandonment issues. Although I’ve made substantial progress; essentially my biggest fear is that I won’t be “enough” for anyone. The fear that even the closest people to me could turn their backs and walk away gives me anxiety, but not anxiety in the way you think it does…

it makes me anxious about not doing enough. I get anxious if I feel like I could be doing more to reach my goals or make my closest family members proud.

Now the good news is that I was able to become AWARE of my anxiety. Awareness is the first step to managing it and healing.

A few things I do to better manage my anxiety especially in social settings is:

1. Social media/change of scenery

Right after high school I moved to a new city with my family and boyfriend where I knew NOBODY. In fact, this is when the gym became my outlet, but also, a space where I met a bunch of new people! Changing my scenery really helped me be who I genuinely wanted to be and not what everyone in elementary and high school remembered me as. I’m not saying you need to move!! Just maybe make some effort to go to new places where you can meet new people!

Since I was able to grow into myself more, I started up my social media which was probably the best decision I’ve ever made. The rest was history.

2. Pushed myself to meet new people

Moving to a new city plus ALSO working in this industry forced me to meet new people (whether I liked it or not)…although it can be nerve racking at first, it is EXPOSURE THERAPY. Meaning, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. In fact, I feel like I am now more of the extroverted conversation holder when I meet new people and I love it because it allows me to help others who may have struggled with social anxiety as well.

3. Recharging when I need

If you’re anything like me; you have a social battery. Now, putting yourself out there more often DOES extend that battery (I promise), but sometimes it’s important to just have some time to debrief and be alone so you can “recharge”. THERE IS NO SHAME IN SAYING NO. If you don’t want to go out because you are mentally exhausted, I PROMISE you are doing your friends/family a favour by staying home. Setting boundaries for yourself is the BEST THING you can do for your anxiety without feeling guilt. Anyone who doesn’t respect that, really just doesn’t have your best interest at heart anyway.

#lemon8partner #anxiety #mentalhealth #selflove #bossbabe